School of Dance

FSU remembers first cheerleader and top dance supporter Maggie Allesee 

Margaret “Maggie” Strum Acheson Allesee, who attended Florida State College for Women just as it was transitioning to a co-ed university, passed away on Jan. 27 at the age of 94.   A 1949 FSU graduate in English, journalism and education, Allesee went on to earn a master’s degree in education, guidance and counseling and […]

FSU dance students form connections with renowned choreographer during MANCC residency

A unique residency program gave Florida State University School of Dance students the opportunity to learn from a legend last fall. The Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography (MANCC), a dance and choreographic research center in the FSU School of Dance, hosted renowned choreographer Dianne McIntyre as part of Living Legacy, a program created to […]

FSU dance professor wins prestigious Gish Prize as awards continue to flow

Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, a Lawton Distinguished Professor at Florida State University and the founder of New York-based dance company Urban Bush Women, has been awarded the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize — one of the most prestigious awards in the American arts. Zollar will receive a cash award of approximately $250,000 for her groundbreaking […]

The Big Story: October 4, 2021

Florida State University’s Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, a professor at FSU’s School of Dance and founder of Urban Bush Women (UBW), has received the 2021 MacArthur Fellowship — also known as the “genius grant” — for using the power of dance and artistic expression to celebrate the voices of Black women and promote civic engagement and community organizing. Read more…

FSU dance professor among organizations to benefit from MacKenzie Scott donations

Urban Bush Women (UBW), founded by Florida State University School of Dance Professor Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, received a $3 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott — the largest monetary award in the company’s history. The gift is one of 286 high-impact contributions from Scott given to organizations and communities that have been historically underfunded and part of a $2.7 billion in donations. “There have been numerous studies from different sectors of the arts field that have […]

FSU MANCC receives renewed funding from Sustainable Arts Foundation to support working parent artists

The Florida State University Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography (MANCC) has received renewed funding from the Sustainable Arts Foundation (SAF), which supports working artists and their childcare needs for 2021. “I am very pleased that we will again be able to engage a broader range of artists by providing access to childcare,” said James Frazier, dean of the College of Fine Arts. “Dance […]

FSU School of Dance candidates to present ‘3 Voices’

The Florida State University School of Dance will present the premiere of “3 Voices,” a three-part performance created by FSU graduate students. The performances, which are free and open to the public, will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, Feb. 29, at the Nancy Smith Fichter Dance Theatre in Montgomery Hall. […]

FSU researchers offer ideas for New Year’s resolutions

Setting New Year’s resolutions can be a frustrating proposition. It’s disheartening to look back at old resolutions to see they’ve failed to take hold yet again or to struggle creating a new, exciting idea for self-improvement. Let science give you some help. FSU faculty members gave their suggestions for changes that will improve your life […]

FSU School of Dance faculty member awarded prestigious Bogliasco Fellowship

A Florida State University dance professor has been awarded the prestigious Bogliasco Study Center Fellowship. Award-winning dancer and choreographer Gwen Welliver, an assistant professor in the School of Dance, will spend a one-month residency during the spring 2020 semester at the Bogliasco Study Center in Italy. The Bogliasco Foundation supports the arts and humanities by […]

FSU School of Dance presents striking works at annual ‘An Evening of Dance’

The Florida State University School of Dance presents “An Evening of Dance,” an annual event that highlights the creative choreography and performance skills of the school’s students and faculty. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, and Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Nancy Smith Fichter Dance Theatre in Montgomery Hall, located on […]

FSU dance students to present ‘Fractured Form’

Florida State University’s School of Dance will present a performance featuring three choreographies by graduate students that examine, question and promote a new understanding of form. Master of Fine Arts candidates Julie Opiel, Bridget Close and Sarah Rose will present “Fractured Form” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1, and Saturday, March 2, in the Nancy […]

FSU’s School of Dance and Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography among best in the nation

Florida State University’s School of Dance and Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography (MANCC) have been nationally recognized by College Magazine for their top-notch dance and choreography programs. College Magazine ranked Florida State No. 6 on the list of The 10 Best Schools for Dance in 2019 and No. 4 on the list of The […]